The Benue state government Tuesday said while it may not stop the federal government’s plan to rehabilitate grazing reserves or create cattle routes in other states, no land has been gazetted for grazing routes, grazing reserves, cattle colonies and Ruga settlements Benue.
The government in a statement issued Tuesday by chief press secretary to the Benue state governor, Terver Akase, said
Benue is not part of the grazing reserves rehabilitation programme of the federal government.
The government made the statement in reaction to the statement issued by senior special assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who said said the federal government will commence rehabilitation work on grazing reserves in the country next month.
But the statement noted that the planned policy will have a negative effect on unity and security of the country.
“We find the move to reopen grazing reserves not only shocking and curious but also as a misplaced priority.
“At a time the country is worried about the worsening security situation and many Nigerians are calling for national dialogue to address the fundamental issues that have led to the present state of affairs, the federal government considers the reopening of cattle grazing routes as the only solution available to it.
“We expect the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to weigh the negative consequences its recommendation will have on the unity and security of the nation and advise Mr President that Nigerians are not on the same page with him regarding the matter of open grazing. It is not too late to salvage the situation.
